"Virtual window" technology for Bradley Fighting Vehicle announced at AUSA

AUSA 2018--WASHINGTON. Honeywell and the U.S. Army announced at AUSA that they are testing a prototype of an advanced helmet-mounted vision system in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, one of the U.S. Army’s most notable ground vehicles.

According to the team, the vision system -- originally developed and tested by Honeywell and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Ground X-Vehicle Technologies program -- melds augmented-reality (AR) and virtual-reality (VR) technology with a helmet-mounted display for use by operators of armored vehicle. For the drivers, say the companies, the technology results in a natural viewing experience of their surroundings in a “closed-hatch” environment and enables much better protection for the crew.

Named the Ground X-Vehicle Technologies (GXV-T) Crew Station Augmentation Concept, the technology is aided by an existing suite of 360-degree awareness sensors that will collectively deliver a more comprehensive and mission-effective driving experience for combat-vehicle operators. The partners assert that new U.S. Army ground-vehicle programs could leverage this capability to enhance soldier protection while allowing remote monitoring and control of robotic and optionally-manned vehicles and would enable vehicle operators to drive, navigate, and control multiple vehicles while also keeping a human in the loop for assured control.

The helmet-mounted vision system includes a range of forward-facing cameras that deliver imagery projected into the left and right eye of the user through a pair of holographic optical elements, a technique that enables operators to perceive depth in the imagery while showing a wide field of regard without causing nausea or eyestrain. Gaining the ability to simulate direct-sight conditions in a way that mimics natural viewing is key to achieving fully operational, closed-hatch driving for armored vehicles; the helmet-mounted system also allows a combination of other cameras to relay views from other angles around the vehicle, so operators have awareness beyond what is directly in front of them.